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Workshops

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Knowledge Mobilization 101

Knowledge mobilization is a key part of the research process, helping ensure that knowledge is shared in ways that are accessible, relevant, and useful beyond academia. This session offers a practical introduction to KM, including its background, critical considerations, and examples of strategies that help research reach and benefit the people it is meant to serve. It will also provide a foundation for the later podcasting session, which explores one KM approach in more depth.

Podcasting for Knowledge Mobilization

Curious about using podcasting to share your research? Join podcaster and podcast researcher Alison Innes to learn about podcasting for knowledge mobilization and the importance of storytelling. We’ll discuss the various considerations that go into making a podcast including audience, content, platforms, and accessibility, as well as having clear goals for your project, approaching podcasting in an ethical way and managing potential risks.

 

Presenter: Alison Innes

She is a PhD student in the Interdisciplinary Humanities PhD program at Brock University. Her research explores ideas of ethical and authentic podcasting, ideas of expertise and authority, and how podcasting’s intimacy and open access nature democratize research and engage non-academic audiences.

Alison currently creates and hosts her own research podcast Project PhDcast and is a co-producer on Eve, Intersected. She was the host and producer of Foreword and the Podcast Learning Network for Brock University, where she worked with faculty and student researchers on knowledge mobilization projects. She is the co-creator of the independently-produced podcast MythTake.

Alison holds an MA in Classics from Brock University and undergraduate degrees from both McMaster University and Glendon College, York University.

Coding Nature: Genetic Algorithms for Ecological, Evolutionary & Ethological Problems 

Thursday April 30th 2:00pm to 4:30pm 

No prior coding knowledge required!!! 

Advances in computation have allowed researchers to simulate natural processes and even use nature as a template for solving complex issues. Genetic algorithms are inspired by Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection and are used to solve complex problems through mimicking biological processes. These algorithms can be used in numerous applications, from planning optimal financial decisions to machine learning, and can be applied to natural science issues as well. 

This workshop will provide a beginner-friendly interactive demonstration of the goals and function of genetic algorithms through coding in Python.

Follow along as you delve into problems commonly faced by researchers in ecology, ethology, and evolution that can be solved through genetic algorithms. Then, freely experiment with conditions and optimize your algorithm to compete against your colleagues for prizes and bragging rights! 

Brock University acknowledges the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. 
This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement.
Today this gathering place is home to many First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples and acknowledging reminds us that our great standard of living is directly related to the resources and friendship of Indigenous people.

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